Al Jazira to go all out against Lekhwiya
abu dhabi – The only thing on Henk ten Cate’s mind is the Arabian Gulf League crown as Al Jazira travel to Hatta Stadium on Saturday and try to bag the long-awaited title since the 2010-11 League season.
But just before the big celebrations there’s unfinished business in the form of Qatari side Lekhwiya.
Though Al Jazira are eliminated from the AFC Champions League, Ten Cate wants to win the last home match of the competition on Tuesday. Also, leaders Lekhwiya had thrashed Al Jazira 3-0 in Doha this February. So, the timing is right to avenge the humiliation.
“We will go all out for a win,” Ten Cate said during the press conference on Monday. However, there is a slight worry with star striker Ali Mabkhout being doubtful with an injury.
Al Jazira boss wants to win at home for club fans.
“We don’t want to lose at home,” the coach of ‘Pride of Abu Dhabi’ said. Al Jazira’s victory over leaders Lekhwiya will make things interesting in Group B with Esteghlal Khuzestan and Al Fateh still having a chance to qualify into the knockout round. Ten Cate, however, promised that the next AFC Champions League season will see Al Jazira get ‘better and more mature’. “We will focus on the Champions League,” he noted.
— ashwani@khaleejtimes.com
Today’s match: AFC Group B: > Al Jazira v Lekhwiya SC Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium (8 pm)